Thomas Cockrell

Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony (IPFAC), often referred to as “The Point,” is an intensive eight-week summer training and performance program for young singers, selected from competitive national auditions. Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point has a venerable, continuous history of training young artists since 1950. No other training institute for young people offers the scope and depth of this total immersion into the process of preparing and performing opera.

Alumni of this program now sing in the major opera houses of the world; many others teach at prestigious colleges and universities. Artists are trained, conducted, coached and encouraged by a supportive, professional staff. Included is all training, coaching, workshops, and nurturing required to present opera in full productions—scenery, lights, costumes, wigs—accompanied by an orchestra.

The season includes 4 weeks of rehearsal, 3 main stage operas in more than 20 performances, numerous performances of the outreach opera and a Broadway Cabaret–all presented over a 30-day period. In addition, singers participate in special outreach events such as performances at Crystal Bridges Museum and A Taste of Opera at the historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. Once the productions have opened, our artists enjoy additional enrichment offerings in acting, movement, musical preparation, stage combat and career development by resident and guest artist faculty. Throughout the program resident voice teachers offer weekly lessons and yoga for performers is a daily offering.